Climate change was the top issue at this week’s summit in Heiligendamm and the Group of Eight leaders did their best to contradict many skeptics that were lisping a major failure regarding a new climate policy.

A major accomplishment was the reducing with 50 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, a benchmark that all participating nations agreed with. German Chancellor Angela Merkel outlined the decision as “a great success” and “a major step forward,” but also said they’re not in the clear yet as “none of these documents are binding.”

The German politician stressed the need for a firm assent that would replace the Kyoto Protocol which expires in 2012. Another side project will certainly not fill the gap left by the treaty signed by most United Nations members, with a important exception that was the United States. Bush’s administration did not ratify the international treaty which was applied since February 16, 2005.

Even now, a tough fight was taken with Bush, but finally the leaders reached a common point and boosted Merkel’s confidence that future talks will resume during UN meetings.

Again, quick-developing countries like India and China took the center stage, as Bush reminded that powerful economies across the globe must embrace such a pact and respect its conditions until a conclusive result is reached.

The next major gathering that will put global warming in the spotlight will take place on the Indonesian island of Bali, later this year and is going to be mediated by the UN.